As an Amazon affiliate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

For the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are encouraged to think about growing the Kingdom of God. Is my heart ready? The themes of discipleship, scripture, and evangelization may arise. This is a time to think about the importance of our relationship with God and how it helps us bear fruit. We must spread the gospel and avoiding walking alone. Keeping God's commandments in our hearts leads to love for God and our neighbor. We should discuss putting this love into action.

Here are some ideas for this Sunday for your youth ministry, class, or family.

Share the Good News!

Mass Readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

See resources, homilies, and more for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A readings here.

  • First ReadingIsaiah 55:10-11: The word of the Lord is like rain and snow that comes down from the heavens, watering the earth and making it fertile. Similarly, God's word that comes from His mouth will not return to Him empty, but it will accomplish His purpose and fulfill His will.
  • Responsorial PsalmPsalm 65: The passage describes how God has enriched and blessed the land with water, preparing it for a bountiful harvest. The response "The seed that falls on good ground will yield a fruitful harvest" emphasizes the importance of planting on fertile soil to ensure a successful crop.
  • Second ReadingRomans 8:18-23: The present sufferings of believers are incomparable to the glory that will be revealed to them. The passage describes how all of creation is groaning in pain, eagerly awaiting its redemption and liberation from decay, and how believers also groan inwardly, awaiting the redemption of their bodies.
  • GospelMatthew 13:1-23: Jesus speaks to a large crowd in parables about the kingdom of heaven, using the metaphor of seeds and soil. He explains that those who receive the word of the kingdom and understand it will produce a fruitful harvest, while those who do not understand it will not bear fruit.

Mass Readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

See resources, homilies, and more for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B readings here.

  • First Reading Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15: The Israelites, having recently escaped from Egypt, complain to Moses and Aaron that they have no food to eat in the wilderness. In response, God promises to provide them with bread from heaven, and in the morning, manna appears on the ground for them to gather and eat.
  • Responsorial PsalmPsalm 78: The psalm reflects on the glorious deeds of the Lord, specifically his provision of bread from heaven for the Israelites in the wilderness. It emphasizes the abundance and heavenly nature of the bread, and how it sustained the people as they journeyed to the Promised Land. The response "The Lord gave them bread from heaven" emphasizes the divine origin and miraculous nature of the provision.
  • Second Reading Ephesians 4:17, 20-24: Believers are to leave their old way of life behind and put on a new self, created to be like God in righteousness and holiness. The passage emphasizes the importance of renewing the mind and transforming the inner self, so that one can live a life pleasing to God.
  • Gospel John 6:24-35: The crowds who had witnessed the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 follow Jesus and ask for a sign, prompting him to declare that he is the bread of life. He teaches that those who come to him will never hunger or thirst, and that he is the means through which they can obtain eternal life.

Mass Readings for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

See resources, homilies, and more for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C readings here.

  • First ReadingEcclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23: All human endeavors are ultimately futile, as death comes to both the wise and the foolish alike. The passage questions the value of one's toil and labor, as it may be left to another who has not worked for it, and ultimately lead to a sense of emptiness and despair.
  • Responsorial PsalmPsalm 90: The psalm emphasizes the importance of listening to God's voice and not hardening one's heart. It acknowledges the transient nature of human life and the need for wisdom to make the most of our days.
  • Second ReadingColossians 3:1-5, 9-1: Believers must set their minds on things above and to put to death their earthly desires, such as sexual immorality, greed, and anger. The passage urges believers to put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator, and to treat one another with love, unity, and forgiveness.
  • GospelLuke 12:13-21: Jesus tells the parable of the rich fool, who stores up his abundant harvest in barns and plans to live a life of ease, only to have his life taken that very night. The passage warns against greed and materialism, emphasizing the fleeting nature of worldly possessions and the importance of being rich toward God.

More About Lectionary Cycles

Learn more about the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary, how the Lectionary is arranged, and translations of the Bible used at Mass on the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Join our email list to receive weekly emails with Catholic reflections and more.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Copy link